Difference between happiness and contentment

I would just like to wake up one morning without a feeling of dread . That’s it really .

I'm a very happy and contented person but it's been a long time since I've had excitement. I suppose that's because I've been very lucky in the places I've travelled to and the experiences I've had.
The reason for my excitement is: my OH has been asked to bring a boat back from France to the uk. It should take about 3 weeks. It's a big lump, 120ft long.

Contentment doesn't mean stasis and is completely compatible with sailing off to investigate new unknown countries, doing scientific research and generally being. actively curious about the world. I have been content with my life for most of the time since adulthood, but it didn't stop me studying and exploring subjects that interested me, being ambitious and making progress in my career.

Contentment is a secure platform from which to jump to achieve the impossible.

Happiness is an ephemeral emotion, to comes at times when life just gets suddenly very special, seeing a family member after absence, hearing exam results, achieving success at work or in private life. It comes, floodlights life for a few hours, occasionally longer, then goes.

Sorry glücklich does not mean being lucky.

you have luck = ich habe Glück gehabt. Happens occasionallly

I am happy = ich bin glücklich = A state of mind

I'm content, it feels like happiness at my present stage of life.

Contentment comes from within, I think. Its an overall, steady feeling. Happiness comes in short bursts and can be short lived. That's my take on it for today. It may change tomorrow.

I aspire to contentment rather than happiness, but I don't see that being content would stop me from being curious and adventurous and wanting new experiences. Contentment (or happiness) would be difficult to sustain, and soon turn to boredom, if nothing ever changed.

Two sides of the same coin.

In some languages they are the same word. In French, for example, "content/contente" usually means "happy".

In German, "happy" is "glücklich", but this also means "lucky".

So there are some very strange overlaps there!

"Contentment" is hormonal, if you ask me - when pregnant, you suddenly get those euphoric moments for no reason at all!

I am content that I have a wonderful family and live in a lovely part of the world, but if I could see the sea or coastline from my window, I would be so happy I’d be unable to wipe the smile from my face.

Yes, wildswan16 I think you have caught the essence of the difference between contentment and happiness. The only thing I would add to your definition of contentment is knowing that those dearest to me are all well and happy too. I love the image of the blanket. ?

Happiness is an emotion and is transient and short lived.. Contentment is a state of mind. But they are closely linked.

That’s a great explanation wildswan and I agree.

I am "content" when I am just pottering about at home with no particular worries, and feel safe, reasonably healthy and at peace with the world.

I am happy for shorter periods of time when doing something I love, or seeing family, going on holiday etc.

Content is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket, Happy is flinging it off and feeling the emotion.

I’m not sure it’s possible to be one without the other jordana ? ( happy to be corrected though) .

Sometimes I get a short burst of happiness which always seems to be ruined by lots of worries hanging around plaguing me. Contentment surely must mean being happy with the way things are, overall and not needing anything more .